Saying goodbye to home and family was difficult, but Elder Parrish was excited to finally be going!
We left our house at about 9:00 a.m. with luggage loaded and just our immediate family seeing Elder Parrish off at the Missionary Training Center.
Elder Parrish was a little tired after trying to adjust to the missionary schedule for a few days, so this is how he spent the car ride to Provo.
Once in Provo, we had time to stop and eat lunch. Many people in the restaurant recognized that we had an elder entering the Missionary Training Center and wished us well.
Then, we drove to the MTC and Mom started bawling as soon as she saw the missionaries lining the sidewalk around the MTC, waiting to welcome the newly arriving missionaries. The spirit and power of the MTC is amazing!
We went to a field across the street from the MTC
to take some last pictures and say our good-byes.
We pulled into the Missionary Training Center just at 1:10 p.m., our appointed drop off time.
The drop off at the curb was quick, like everyone said it would be--like ripping off a Band-Aid, painful but over with quickly.
Elder Parrish was greeted by one of the handsome elders lining the curb, and they unloaded his bags. Each family member got one last hug and off he went!
Elder Mitchell Parrish was ready to embark on his adventure as a full-time missionary!
